Posted on 05/02/2005 12:07:59 PM PDT by Stoat
Pope's VW breaks eBay records | |||||||||||||||
May 02 2005 06:35:09:267PM | |||||||||||||||
"It was viewed more often than any other item we have ever had on eBay Germany," the Berlin headquarters said. The bidding for the metallic gray 1999 Golf IV in mint condition started at 9 999 (about $12 800), and by Monday, with more than 136 registered offers, had reached 62 595. Because the auction is not due to end until Thursday (Ascension Day), eBay expects the price to continue to rise. The Golf is being offered by Benjamin Halbe, 21, who bought it in January from a used car dealer having no idea that its previous owner, Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger, would become pope. "It's a heavenly ride," Halbe said. Ratzinger's private secretary bought it for him in 1999 in southern Germany. It was then taken to Ratzinger in Rome. The company said that it had taken measures to guard against fraudulent offers by requiring bidders to provide their eBay user name, a phone number and a copy of their German identification card. Coincidentally Volkswagen, Europe's leading automaker, said last month it is interested in building a new "Pope-mobile", a car especially designed and built for the pope. |
I drove an Audi the other day with paddle shifters. Coupled with a transmission design which has two gearsets engaged at any one time (and two clutches), shifting is instant, and the traditional slush-box feel is totally gone. That's the first auto transmission I ever really liked.
Exactly - it is not specific to Germany but is the correct way of referring to any Cardinal. What bugs me is how many news stories written during the papal transition failed to get it right - any number of times I've seen "Cardinal William Keeler" for example, instead of "William Cardinal Keeler".
A Golf is not a minivan. Not even close.
Oops! Sorry, cancel my previous comment. I see you weren't referring to the Golf!
Wow! I wonder who the lucky person will be?
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